Wilma Louise Fowler Rader

Wilma Rader PROSPERITY - Wilma Louise Fowler Rader, wife of the late Millard Kirby Rader, was called to her Heavenly Father's presence on May 20, 2015. Wilma was born to the late William Herbert and Pernie Jane Ross Fowler in Marion, NC, on October 2, 1928. She graduated from Marion High School and attended Coker College. In 1948 Wilma married Kirby Rader, her high school sweetheart, to whom she was married for 64 years. They moved to Columbia, where both were students at USC. Wilma strutted her stuff as a USC Majorette while Kirby played on the football field as a Fighting Gamecock. Wilma worked at Sears on Harden Street for many years. She left Sears to work at First National Bank. In 1960, Wilma was awarded the Top Salesman Award by the Columbia Optimist Club. She then assisted in the opening of Security Federal. In 1980 she received her real estate license and specialized in Lake Murray property sales. After obtaining her Broker's license in 1985, Wilma opened her own real estate company, Rader Realty. Wilma loved the Lord. She was a charter member of Park Road Baptist Church and was active in prayer groups and Bible studies. She is survived by her son, Ronald Kirby "Ron" Rader of Sullivan's Island, her daughters, Jan Rader Dickson of Columbia, Joni Rader Beaman and son-in-law Charles D. "Chuck" Beaman, Jr., of West Columbia, former daughter-in-law Cheryl Bradley Rader, and former son-in-law, James B. Dickson, MD; seven grandchildren who affectionately called her Mamaw and Bema, Christopher James King "C.J." Dickson (Anna Rainey Dickson) of Raleigh, William Blake Beaman of Charlotte, Logan Louise Fowler Dickson of Columbia, Callie Ross Rader of Columbia, Ashley Lynn Beaman of West Columbia, Catherine Elizabeth Rader Dickson Stergar (Zachary David Stergar) of Berkeley, California, and Rebecca Jordan Rader Horning (Brandon Jay Horning) of Chapin; four great-granddaughters, Lilly Grace Ryan, Madilyn Cheyenne Horning, Brantlee Jayne Horning and Margaret James Dickson. Her family will greatly miss her cornbread, biscuits, sweetness, grace, and strength. A family graveside funeral service will be held at Cherry Springs Memorial Park in Old Fort, NC, on Friday. Memorials may be made to Palmetto Health Foundation, PO Box 247, Columbia, SC 29202. The family wishes to thank Palmetto Health Physicians, Dr. Michael Foster and Dr. Mohamed El Geneidy, Greta Green, Palmetto Health Baptist nurses and techs for their immeasurable support, compassion, and care given to Wilma and family. We also thank her caregivers Sandra, Kayla, Violet, and Taylor at Agape Assisted Living in West Columbia. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.